Device for the manufacture of sliding clasp fastenings



2 sheets-Sheet 1 hnnunhnullhhullxnunllllrhnf H. HENKELS 'Filed Jan. 22, 1954 DEVICE FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF SLIDING CLASP FASTENINGS- Oct. 15, 1935.

Il Ill oct. 1s, 1935. H HENKELS 2,017,814 Y DEVICE FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF SLIDING CLASP FASTENINGS Filed Jan. 22, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented ct.A 15, 1935 TAS PATE' DEVICE Fon 'rmt MANUFACTURE or sLmrNG CLASP FAs'rENlNGs Hugo Henkels, Wuppertal-Elberfeld; Germany Application January zz 19s4, 'serial No. 707,860 In Germany February 4, 1933 13 Claims.

proposed by me in U. S. A. Patent No. 1,889,803

to employ an auxiliary device which is mechanically charged from a storage receptacle with members in such a manner that the members are placed in the auxiliary device at the same distance apart and in exactly the same position which they have to assume subsequently upon a stringer, and by means of which auxiliary device the members are subsequently inserted upon a Stringer.

This known auxiliary device consists of a racklike barwith teeth a'nd notches, which 'is4 provided with recesses in the teeth for the reception of the projecting coupling parts of the fastening members. 'I'his bar is provided in its centre with a longitudinal groove extending from the underside of the bars to the roots of the teeth, and is divided by a longitudinal cut through the centre of the longitudinal groove and the teeth into two halves which are normally firmly held together, so that the bar can be put upon a Stringer together with the members the legs of which extend into the longitudinal groove,

whereupon the members which engage the stringer with their legs can be released from the collector bar by moving the twohalves of the bar apart. For charging this auxiliarydevice with 'fastening members, the device must be inserted into a rotating drum or moved through a drum filled with fastening members which are raised by ribs within the drum and are poured over the collecting device. During this flooding of the auxiliarydevice, suitably disposed fastening members are caught .in the gaps between the,

teeth of the auxiliary device and gradually fill the device. Obviously, only a comparatively small percentage of fastening members meets the collecting device in the right position to be caught in the gaps between the teeth. A

In order to increase the emciency of the ar- -rangement, a considerable number of collector bars is located according to the invention, one bar below anotherl between two sets of inclined feeding plates or chutes so that each collector bar is fed with fastening members from two sides by corresponding inclined feeding plates. or chutes. The fastening members which during the flooding of the device are not caught in the gaps of the uppermost collector bar, drop upon the two following inclined plates and are guided by them to the next following colleGtQr bar, The

(ci. v15a-1) feeding plates preferably have undulating upper4 surfaces, the elevations and depressions of the Aundulations extending at right angles to the collector bar, and each depressed portion of an un- -dulation opening at the gap of the bar.

to the-undulating shape of the plates, the fastening members dropping upon the plates are so directed that they assume a position which enables them on sliding down the plates to' be caught in the gaps of the collector bars. In order to attain asfar as possible an uninterrupted operation, two frames with collector bars mounted therein are preferably arranged in line with one another` so that Whilst one frame is being charged the other frame is outside the charging zone and15 'f can be discharged. The transfer of the fastening members contained in a collector bar to stringers, can be substantially simplified by pivotally mounting the individual frames so that they can be tilted from .a vertical-into a horizontal plane, 20'

`whereby the collector bars which are svringably suspended adjust themselves automatically in such a manner-'that the fastening members stand at right angles to the horizontal plane, and can be directlyinserte'd upon stretched stringers with- 25 out the necessity of removing the bars from their frame. To facilitate the transfer of the fastening members from the bars to the stringere, the two parts of the bars are resiliently movable so that the fastening members can be freed by means 30 of a suitably shaped die, out of the bars, upon being placed uponthe stringers. It is not absolutely necessary to use with the above described apparatus a drum of the kind described in Patent No; 1,889,803 which lifts fastening members collected upon its bottom and causes them to flow into the apparatus'. Instead of a rotating drum. :a stationary container `may be used whichis arranged labove the frames and from which the fastening members flow over the top collector bar.` 40 AA construction'al form of the apparatus is shown by way of example in the drawingst' Fig. 1 shows an elevation of the device,

2A shows an end view of the device, Fig. 3 an elevation partly in section of lower portion of the device,

Fig. 4 details of the suspension frame, Fig. l5 anl elevation of an auxiliary device or collector rod,

Fig. 6 a cross section of Fig. 5 and also the 50 method of transferring the fastening members to Owing 5 Fig. 9 a corresponding'side view. s

I designates a known auxiliary device or collector bar which serves for placing fastening members ilowingover the device into a required position and at even distances apart. This auxiliary device I is constituted by a rack-like bar provided with teeth Ib, every alternate tooth face being provided with'a recess Ic in which fastening members entering notches for gaps between theteeth are caught with their coupling pro- Thevbar is provided opposite to thejections.

` teeth with a continuous longitudinal groove Id which extends up to the notches, and consists of two" halves which arel connected together by spring bolts Ie. 2 indicates twoframes arranged in line with one another and located in a vertical plane, Which'are provided.I upon their vertical The bars I can therefore swing in the frames 2,

of a toothed rack I5 moun the centering recesses If being so arranged'that the bars I 'teni-owing to the arrangement oi?l their centres of gravity to assume a certain position in which the gaps are uppermost.

The vertical members of the frame 2 are downwardly extended beyond the frame and carry each at its end a ball 4 in a cage. By means of these balls the frame slides upon a horizontal rail 5 which is in turn supported by a U-rail .6.

The ends ofthe vertical frame members'which project beyond the 'frame proper are connected by a rail 1 lmounted. between stationary roller pairs 8. vThese roller pairs 8 with the rail 'I hold the frame in accurately vertical position, to permit of an easy'displacement of the frame in its plane. i 'e The Ugrail 6 as well as the roller pairs 8 are fixed by means of an angle iron 9 to a table III providedwith a longitudinal slot, above which the frame 2 moves. Upon the table I0 are `fixed two U-shaped yokes II at a distance exceeding somewhat the length of a frame' 2,l in such a manner that the plane constituted by each yoke is at right angles to the table III and is also at 'right angles to the plane constituted by the frame 2. The two yokes II carry in their'upperpart a receptacle I2 serving for the reception of fasten'- ing members, which tapers downwardly in the shape of a funnel, and has an opening extending.

nearly from one yoke II to the other yoke. This opening` can be more or less covered by two slides I3 slid inwards from the two ends. The slides I3 may belocked in any position by means of resilient tongues I4 provided thereon, a tooth prof' vided upon-a resilient ton l e lI4 engaging a gap upon the side of the receptacle I2. A pointer I6 provided-upon the slide I3 indicates upon a scale the sizeof the opening provided at the time being. .A

In the storage receptacle I2 is mounted close above the discharge opening-a'longitudinally extending rod I1 provided with fingers, by the toand-fro movement of which the fastening mem-v bers contained in the receptacle-I2 are continuo usly moved so `that the discharge Vopening can not become blocked. The to-'andfro movement of the rod I1 is obtained from a flanged disc I 8 driven in a suitable manner. From. the vertical members of one yoke extend towards the corre'- sponding members of the other yoke IIparallel feeding plates or chutes I9 which are downwardly inclined towards the median plane of the whole apparatus. 'Each feeding plate I9 on one side of the apparatus constitutes with aV plate, located at the same level upon the other side of the apparatus a funnel open at the bottom. The space between the plates on one side and those on the other side, is so large as to enable the frame 2 to be slid between the two sets of plates I9. The relative positions of the plates I9 and the'bars I in frame 2 are such that when the frame 2 is 15 placed between the two sets of plates. a collector bar I is positioned close below the bottom edges of two corresponding plates I9 which constitutes a funnel feeding the collector bar. i

The fastening members falling d own from the 20 storage receptacles 2 meet the uppermost collector bar I of the frame 2, or the uppermost platesv I9 `and slide then upon the latter under their own Aweight to the uppermost bar I. The fastening members which are not caught in the top bar 25 I, shoot` beyond the bar and reach the second pair of plates I9 which in turn conveys the yfastening members to the second bar I. In this. mannerfastening members gradually reach all the collecting bars I'of the frame 2. Fastening 30 members which have not been caught in the last collecting bar I reach through conduits 20 a collecting receptacle placed below, from which they Vcan be brought from time to time back to the storage receptacle I2. arrangedv in the lower part of the frame 2 guides the excess fastening members into lthe conduits 20 and thus prevents the fastening members from' dropping uponthe parts which serve for guiding the frame.

The plates I9 preferably have upon their upper sides an undulating shape or are covered with corrugated iron, the raised portions and the "depressions running at right angles to the longitudinal direction of the plates and consequently 45' towards the collecting bar I. -By the choice of asuitable pitch and if necessary by staggering the two plates or sheets relatively to each other, provision is made that each depressed portion ofthe undulating surface opens into anotch 50) or gap of the collecting bar I. By the-undulating shape of the upper surface of the plates, a directing or positioning action is exerted upon the fastening members sliding upon the platesso that the 'members assume the position which is 55 required for engagement by the gapsor notches of the collecting bar I. Sliding clasp fastenings are, of course, made' in various lengths. According-to the length of the fastening 4to be made, the collector barsl have 50 to be charged with fastening members upon a reason aseparate screening device ds provided which prevents the wideningof the flow of the. fastening members. 'I'his screening device consists of a pair of plates 22 for each plate I9. These plates or stops are substantially at right angles to the plates I9 and engage with their [5 A roof-shaped plate 2| 35W `fixed to an upright 23. When a fresh adjust- Yment is to be made, the uprights 23 are removed from the plates I9 and are replaced upon the plates I9 at a reduced or increased distance from 1 each other.

' *After the collector bars I mounted in a frame have been filled, which, as a rule, takes hardly.

'a minute, the frame is shifted in such a manner with regard to the feeding plates that the frame with the charged collector bars I is moved outwards from between the lfeeding plates, whilst the other frame having unlled collector bars I moves between the feeding plates. The filled collector bars I can now be removed from the frame in order to apply the fasteningmembers supported by the bars to the stringers. In order to obviate the removal of the collector bars I from the frame 2, the frame may be made tiltable about a horizontal-axis so that the frame can be tilted parallel totable I0. The pivotally suspended collector bars I then adjust themselves under their own weight so that the lfastening members will stand at right angles to the plane determined by the frame 2 and consequently to the table IU. Consequently it is possible to place directly upon the table I stringers 25 clamped in clamping rails 24, and during the tilting movement of the frame, the legs of the fastening members 26 held by the collector device I will be inserted astri'de upon the stringers. As the two halves of the collector bars I are resiliently movable with regard to each other, the fastening members 26 can be pressed by means of a comb-shaped die 2] out of a collecting bar I, by forcing apart the two halves of the rod, and can be directly pressed upon a Stringer (see Fig. 6). Combs 28 arranged on both side of the Stringer 25 in the clamping device 24 serve durfastening members to the top collector bar, sub-` ing the pressing of the fastening members `upon the Stringer, to prevent any alteration in the relative position of the fastening members.

In order to avoid the necessity of continuously pouring by hand the fastening members which have dropped down into the collecting receptacle provided below the fan-light shutters back into the storage receptacle I2, an automatic devicev may be provided which automatically returns fastening members which have dropped through, to the storage receptacle I2.

I claim:

l. In an apparatus of the kind referred to for charging with fastening members a rack-like collector bar having teeth and notchesfor catching and positioning the fastening members, the

combination of: a plurality of parallel lrack-like collector bars located above each other fin a substantially vertical plane; two sets lof inclined feeding plates located one on each 'side of said collector bars, two correspondingrplates of said two sets .of plates being adapted to feedone corresponding collector bar; and means for feeding stantially as described.

2. In an apparatus of the kind referred to for charging with fastening members a rack-like collector bar having teeth and notches for catchsides of thelwer portion of the frame. substaning and positioning the fastening members, the combination of: a, vertically disposed frame; a, plurality of substantially horizontal rack-like collector bars having teeth and notches for catching and positioning the members arranged above 5 eachother in said frame and pivotally suspended therein; two sets of inclined feeding plates located one on each side of thesaid frame, two corresponding plates of two sets of plates being oppositely inclined and adapted to feed one corresponding collector bar; and means for feeding fastening members to the top collector bar, comprising a storage receptacle, substantially` as described.

3. In an apparatus of the kind referred to 15 for charging with fastening members a racklike collector bar having teeth and notches for catching and positioning the fastening members, the combination of: a vertically disposed frame;

a plurality of substantially horizontal rack-like collector bars arranged above each other in said frame and pivotally ,suspended therein; two sets of inclined feeding plates located one on each side of said frame, two corresponding plates of two sets of plates being oppositely inclined and adapted to feed one corresponding collector bar;

` means for feeding fastening members to the top 'collector bar; said vertically disposed frame being horizontally slidable between said two sets of feeding plates and being also tiltable about a substantially horizontal axis, substantiallyA` as described. I y

4. In an apparatus of the kind referred to for charging withfastening members a rack-like .means for feeding fastening members to the top collector bar; said frame being double the length of the feeding plates, being slidable horizontally between the feeding plates, and being also tiltable about a horizontal axis located near the lower edge of the frame, substantially as described.

5. In an apparatus of the kind referred to Y for charging with fastening members a racklike collector bar having teeth and notches for catching and positioning the fastening members, the combination of a vertically disposed frame; a plurality of substantially horizontal rack-like collector bars arranged above each otherin said frame and pivotally suspended therein; two sets of inclined feeding plates 4located one on each side 60 of said frame, two corresponding plates of two sets of plates being oppositely inclined and adapted to feed one corresponding collector bar; means for feeding fastening members to the' top collector bar; said frame beingv double the length of the feeding plates, being slidable horizontally between the feeding plates, and being also tiltable about a horizontal axis located near the lower edge of the frame; and lmeans for guiding said frame comprising a stationary supporting l rail and ball bearing means between 'said stationary supporting rail' and the base of the vertical frame, and lateral guide rollers on both ualLv as described. y

'4. Y "aorvic 6. In an apparatus of' the kind referred to forcharging with fastening members a rack-like 'collector bar having teeth and notches for catching and positioning the members, the combination of: two vertically disposed frames simultaneously` slidable ina substantially horizontal direction,

each frame being independently tiltable about a' horizontal axis: v a plurality of substantiallyA j vhorizontal rack-like collector bars located above each other in each frame and pivotally mounted therein; two sets of inclined feeding plates of substantially the same length asfthe collector bars, located'one set oneach side of one frame,

two corresponding plates of said two sets of plates being oppositely inclined and adapted to feed one corresponding collector bar; and means for feeding fastening members to the top collector bar, substantially as described.

7. In an apparatus of the kind referred to for 2o charging with fastening members a rack-like collector lbar having teeth and notches for catching and positioning the fastening members, the corn-` bination of: a collector bar divided in the longitudinal direction into -two halves resiliently connected with each other, andaI comb-like die for pressing apart the two halves of the collector bar and simultaneously pressing out fastening members mounted in the collector bar, substantially as described.

8. In an apparatus of the kind referred to for charging with fastening members a rack-like collector barl having teethA and notches for catching and positioning the members, the combinationof: a vertically.disposed frame;-a plurality of rack-like collector bars located above each other in the said frame; .two sets of inclined feeding plates-located one on each side of the said frame; two 'corresponding platesof said two sets of plates being oppositely inclined and adapted to feed '40 one corresponding collector bar; means for feeding fastening members to the top collector bar;.

means for horizontally guiding said frame into working position between said feedingplates, said guiding means being located under the lowest collector bar; and means for discharging fas- 55 and notches for catching and positioning fastex'i-A ing members located above each other in saidl frame; two sets of inclined feeding plates 'located one set on each side of said frame, two corresponding plates of said two sets of plates being o0 oppositely inclined and adapted to'feed one" corresponding collector bar, arid feeding plates being provided with undulating surfaces; and means 'for feeding fastening embers to the top collector bar, substantially as described.-

Vsi; f v10."In an apparatus of the kind referred-tofpr charging with fastening members a rack-like collector bar having teeth and notches for catching and positioning the fastening members, the comlbination of: a rack-like 'collector bar havingl teeth and notches for catching and positioning 'fastening members; two oppositely inclined feeding plates one on each sidev ofy said collector bar, 8

said plates having undulating surfaces, the raised portionsand the depressionsof'the undulations running at right angles to the longitudinal direction of .the collector bar, the depressed portions of the undulating surfaces opening into notches l0 of the collector bar, substantially as described.'

11. In an apparatus of the kind referred to for charging with. :fastening members a rack-like" collector bar having teeth and notches for catching and positioning the fastening members, the l5 combination of: a plurality of parallel rack-like collector barslocated above each other in a substantially vertical plane; two sets of inclined feeding plates located one on eachside of said collector bars, two corresponding plates of said 20"' two sets of plates being adapted to feed one cori responding-collector bar; means for feeding fastening members to the top collector bar; and means for limiting the .iiow of the fastening members, comprising adjustable plates disposed 25 substantially edgewiseupon the feeding plates.

12. .In an apparatus of the kind referred to for charging with fastening members a rack-like collector bar having teeth and notches for catching and positioning the'fastening members, the 80 combination of: a plurality of parallel rack-like collector bars located above each other in a substantially vertical plane; two sets of inclined feeding plates located one on each sideof said collector bars, two corresponding plates of said 3 54 two sets of `plates being adapted to feed one corresponding collector bar; means for feeding fastening members to the top collector bar; and

means for limiting the flow of the fastening members, comprising adjustable plates 'disposed 4o substantially edgewlse uponthe feeding plates. said adjustable plates being arranged on a common support for simultaneous horizontal movement.

13. In an 'apparatus of une kind referred to fr 45 charging with fastening members a rack-like collector bar having teeth and notches for catching andpo/sitioning the members, the combination of: a stationary casing comprising a table and front. and rear U- shaped yokes fixed upon the table; a vertically disposed frame horizontally movable in said stationary casing: a plurality of rack-like collector bars mounted above. each other insaid vertical frame; two stationary sets of inclined feeding plates moimted in said stationary casing, one on each side of saidmovable frame; two corresponding plates of said-two 'sets of plates being oppositely inclined and'beingI g adapted to feed one corresponding collector bar:

a storage receptacle for fastening members 00' mounted in said casing above said vertical frame" for feeding' vfastening members to the top collector bar: and'means f or horizontally guiding said frame in said casing for movement into and out of working position, substantiallyI as de- 66 scribed.

HUGO 

